IRC 2012 Keel Fin Materials

At a recent meeting of the IRC Technical Committee, the subject of the rating cost of different keel fin materials was discussed. Specifically, the Committee addressed keel types 10, 11 and 12.

The Committee noted that in recent years IRC treatment of keels generally has changed and improved significantly. The Committee are concerned that complexity for owners and designers should not increase and should preferably decrease. The Committee also consider that keel fin design decisions should be based on the most appropriate solution (in both technology and cost terms) for any particular boat as opposed to driven by rating considerations.

Owners are therefore advised that the Committee are considering changes to the IRC treatment of different fin materials including but not limited to iron, solid steel, hollow steel and composites.

While no firm and final decisions have yet been taken, it is likely that in future the difference in IRC TCC for the use of different fin keel materials for keel types 10, 11 and 12 will vary less than at present.